• Master of Science in Anesthesia for Nurses (click here for more detailed information)

The nurse anesthesia program is a twenty-eight month course of study. This program includes a didactic portion conducted at Medical University of South Carolina and a clinical anesthesia component to be carried out at local and regional hospitals. The first twelve months are primarily didactic, allowing the student to acquire the basic and advanced skills necessary for the safe administration of anesthesia. During the remaining sixteen months, the student continues didactic instruction and receives an introduction to the practice of clinical anesthesia under the supervision of adjunct faculty who are Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and anesthesiologists. During the latter part of the program, didactic instruction lessens while clinical time and case complexity increases. Second-year students explore professional leadership issues while assuming greater responsibility in the hospital through increased call and leadership under a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

The curriculum includes a wide range of physical, behavioral, and biological science courses to help the student establish a theoretical base. Instructional approaches include a one-to-one instructor to student ratio, lecture, lab, self-directed study, and structured learning. The clinical portion of the program consists of a hands-on approach to the administration of anesthesia.

Students are encouraged to expand personal, educational, and professional goals as they push toward excellence. Students are instructed with the standards set by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). Applicants are required to enroll in the Anesthesia for Nurses/Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia curriculum.

The clinical curriculum offers opportunities for diverse experiences in the anesthetic management of elective and emergency surgical procedures. Students are required to administer anesthesia to a minimum of 600 patients with experience including inhalation, intravenous and regional anesthetic agents. These agents will be administered by all of  the recognized techniques to a wide variety of patients.

Accreditation
The Anesthesia for Nurses Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) through Spring of 2009 and the Southeastern Association of Colleges and Universities.

Anthony J. Chipas, CRNA, PhD Associate Professor Program Director Anesthesia for Nurses

For more information, please contact: